History of Getxo grand villa promenade

Named a Cultural Asset and classified as a Monumental Ensemble in 2001, the Grand Villa Promenadeinvites visitors to discover some of the buildings that best represent the bourgeois architecture of Getxo, built between the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, the golden age of the Las Arenas and Neguri neighbourhoods.

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A bit of history

  • Named a Cultural Asset and classified as a Monumental Ensemble in 2001, the Grand Villa Promenade invites visitors to discover some of the buildings that best represent the bourgeois architecture of Getxo, built during the period of most splendour in the Las Arenas and Neguri neighbourhood between the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th.

  • This self-guided route is comprised of 29 informational panels explaining the architectural styles of the period: eclecticism, traditional English architecture and regionalism, as well as the most famous architects, the social context of the time, etc.

    It's a lovely stroll along the Las Arenas Promenade and the Arriluze Promenade that takes you back to the golden age of Getxo.

  • In the early 20th century, the families considered the wealthiest in Spain lived in Getxo. According to British historian Raymond Carr, ‘the truly rich men of Spain starting in 1900, with few exceptions, were Basque’ and nearly all of them belonged to the so-called ‘Neguri Clan’. In addition to holding valuable fortunes, they wielded influence in politics and business.

    The mines, blast furnaces, transport, banks and electricity were based on their businesses.

  • These families wished to demonstrate the importance of their fortunes and their social status with their homes. So, the Grand Villa Promenade is a reflection of that period of economic splendour in the history of Bizkaia, and it is of great historical and artistic value.

    The majority of the most brilliant architects from Bizkaia at the end of the 19th century and first third of the 20th have works in Getxo.

  • From the first period, before 1900, in the style of eclecticism, Severino Achúcarro is notable. Along with him, other celebrated architects include Pedro Peláez, Federico Borda, Daniel Escondrillas, José María Basterra, and locals Francisco Ciriaco Menchaca and José Bilbao Lopategui.

  • In the 20th century, new generations of architects began to use the British and regional styles then in fashion. They often interwove various styles into their work. The most prominent name is undoubtedly Manuel María Smith, the greatest expression of bourgeois residential architecture of the period. Other noteworthy greats include Rafael de Garamendi, Mario Camiña, Fidel Iturria, Emiliano Amann, Ricardo Bastida, Ignacio María Smith, Antonio Araluce and Manuel Galíndez, many of whom have works on this promenade.